Taff: “There’s a Passion within the Club and Hopefully We Can Move Forward Together”

New Aber Manager Anthony “Taff” Williams gave his first interview this week to Club Media Officer Matthew Wallace, broadcast exclusively via Aberystwyth Town’s Youtube Channel here. 

In a wide ranging interview Taff discussed his fascinating playing career as a professional goalkeeper, and spells playing under Graham Souness, Kenny Dalglish, Roy Hodgson and Chris Coleman. He also revealed that pre season training starts this week, the Players are already on a training plan and some of last season’s Under 19s team will join training with the First team squad. Also, Williams is targeting some loan deals from Football League Clubs so that the team will be competitive, and striving for the Top Six.
On his journey in football Anthony said: “I’ve had a long Coaching career and it came to a point where it’s my turn, my time and hopefully we’ll have a successful future. (Aberystwyth Town) has been traditionally a big club in the Welsh League. It’s a football town – you can see there’s a passion there, a willingness to do well within the Club and hopefully we can move forward together.”

Having already secured the retention of seven of last year’s contracted squad Players, plus five new signings, Williams is happy with his business so far:
“We’re building a squad ready to start training next week. They all seem in good spirits and ready to go, so I am really keen to get started. I have sent out a training plan, because of where we are logistically. It started last week and it’s programmed session to session through pre season and into the season. 

I spoke with Appy (Meirion Appleton) about the Under 19s, and a couple of those boys will come in to show what they can do – because it’s a Club which wants local talent in there as well. We want to thrive with people from the local area.”

Town’s new Manager is also looking to bolster the squad with some loan signings from Football League Clubs:
“I have also spoken with a number of Clubs from the Premier League and Championship (about taking players on loan). We are some way down the line in the process of bringing in one or two players, so I am using my contacts in the game to strengthen certain positions and even out the squad.”  

Finally, Williams detailed his ambitions for the coming season:
“We’ve all got to strive for the Top Six and then build from there. I don’t see why we can’t be there or thereabouts. Starting the season well is massively important and then who knows. It’s an exciting season, there’s a number of boys I am really looking forward to working with. We are going to strengthen a little bit more, then we are going to be very competitive and hopefully be in the Top Six come January 7th”.
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You can watch the interview in its entirety on Aberystwyth Town’s Youtube Channel here.

Aberystwyth Town’s pre season campaign begins a week on Saturday, 9th July at home to Porthmadog, with a 2pm kick off.